Fluke Management In RI: Four Potential Approaches

The following presentation outlines 4 potential options for fluke management in RI state waters These options were chosen as those that seem the most viable from previous management discussions In addition, these are all options that could be enacted in a relatively short timeframe The exact amount of time to implement would be dependent on the specifics of the option Presentation structure: Each option presented with an option overview first The option overview slide is followed by a list of plan elements that could be modified to meet management goals Overview

Option Overview: This plan has 3 sub periods Winter 1 = 1/1 – 4/30; Summer = 5/1 – 10/31; Winter 2 = 11/1 – 12/31 Each sub period gets an allocation based in part on historical landings levels and in part on public input: Winter 1 = 54% Summer = 35% Winter 2 = 11% Each sub period has a starting possession limit set at the beginning of the year based on historical catch rates, public input, and quota amount There are aggregate landings programs that run in the Winter 1 and Summer sub periods 1. Traditional Approach – “Status Quo”

Potential modification scenario: Main modifications that occur under status quo are changes to the sub period starting possession limits Possession limits are set prior to each year Limits are informed by public input, historical catch rates, and how the performance is projected to function relative to the annual quota Catch rates are a function of multiple parameters Difficult to model, therefore mid season adjustments frequently needed The main goal/policy the DFW uses for possession limit adjustments is to maintain an open fishery Traditional Approach – “Status Quo”

Option Overview: Would most likely have 3 sub periods There are 3 distinct periods where demographics and local biological characteristics change Given sub period structure, allocations would need to go in to each period Each sub period would still need to have a starting possession limit set at the beginning of the year: Changes based on similar parameters as current process Would need to be evaluated based on any sub period changes Presumably would maintain aggregate landings programs but could potentially add in a third program in the Winter 2 period 2. Modified Traditional Approach

Modified Traditional Approach Potential modification scenario: Modify sub periods Based on migratory patterns of fish, or Demographic shifts in fishermen Modify allocations Based on sub period length, or Historical landings (recent or long term) Change starting possession limits annually commensurate with quota New modifications (above) would need to be accounted for when setting limits Note: An add on in trad. approaches could be withholding % of quota (i.e. 5%) to be used for: Covering shortfalls Implementing collaborative research projects to better the fishery through technology, strategy, etc

Option Overview: Would maintain 3 sub periods Given sub period structure, allocations would need to go in to each period Each sub period would still need to have a starting possession limit set at the beginning of the year Aggregate landings programs: Could add in a third program in the Winter 2 period Could remove the summer aggregate Could extend the time period to accumulate landings Could open limited access to additional SFECs to allow additional participants 3. Increased Access To Aggregate Program

Increased Access To Aggregate Program Potential modification scenario: Sub period timeframe, allocation, and starting poss limits could be as current (Option 1) or modified (Option 2) Allow new access to the SFECP so more fishermen could participate in aggregate Level of new access could be based on: Existing latent permits An ad hoc number of new permits Calculated number of new permits New access could be allowed: For resident with history Via a lottery Other qualification criteria

Option Overview: Would have 2 programs running simultaneously Traditional program per Option 1 or Option 2 Catch share program Prior to any sub period allocation, quota would need to be allocated between traditional and catch share programs Inclusion in either program would be voluntary but would need to be determined prior to beginning of the year and maintained until following year 4. Hybrid Catch Share Program

Hybrid Catch Share Program Potential modification scenario: Quota allocated to the programs based on: Ad hoc split Determined prior to the season based on interest/application to the catch share portion (see below) Quota allocated to the catch share portion based on: History Formula Hybrid of history and formula Via auction Catch share portion could take the form of IQ or sector program

Summary Option 1 – Status Quo Only modifies starting possession limits per annual process Option 2 – Modified Status Quo Potentially modifies sub periods, allocations, starting poss limits Option 3 – Increased Access to the Aggregate Program Modifies current aggregate program by adding and/or removing a sub period, increasing time of aggregation, and/or increasing number of participants by altering SFECP Option 4 – Hybrid Catch Share Program Runs two voluntary program simultaneously – traditional and catch share programs